Toni Fitzgerald Gunn, Jonathan Duncan and Naomi Devlin have been promoted to partner while Katie Buchanan has been promoted to associate partner, effective from 1 June 2021.

Ms Gunn has over 10 years’ experience in successfully representing employees and employers at the Industrial Tribunal and Fair Employment Tribunal, and regularly advises clients in the public, private, and third sectors on both contentious and non-contentious issues.

She has a keen interest in equal pay, public interest disclosure, TUPE, and holiday pay claims in particular.

Mr Duncan specialises in litigation and has over 15 years of experience in dealing with complex asbestos-related disease claims throughout Northern Ireland. He has secured substantial settlements on behalf of victims and their families involving fatal (mesothelioma) and non-fatal disease claims, both in Northern Ireland and other jurisdictions.

His current caseload also encompasses complex road traffic accident claims, and other Industrial disease claims including hearing loss and vibration white finger claims.

Ms Devlin specialises exclusively in the practice of family law, representing clients throughout Northern Ireland and internationally to include clients based in Canada, United States, Europe, China and Australia.

She has particular expertise in wardship proceedings, child abduction and Hague Convention proceedings, custody/residence and surrogacy. She also advises clients in all aspects of divorce and ancillary relief proceedings.

She is a member of the Children Order Panel and an approved solicitor on the International Children Law Panel as well as an accredited solicitor advocate.

Ms Buchanan is an employment law expert represents both employees and employers, including many private sector businesses, local government and charities, in a range of employment law disputes.

These include unfair dismissal, redundancy and all categories of discrimination complaints as well as providing ongoing advice and support to many employers on the application of internal policies and procedures.

Both Ms Gunn and Ms Buchanan are members of the Employment Lawyers Group.

A spokesperson for Worthingtons said: “These promotions signal the firm’s appreciation of their commitment and loyalty to the firm over the last number of years.

“It is particularly impressive to see the progression of home grown talent; each one having started their legal careers with Worthingtons as legal executives.”